A Much Needed Weekend Getaway with Visit PA

I’ve been in need of a good weekend getaway. This first year of working for myself full-time has been rewarding but very exhausting. I constantly feel like there are not enough hours in a day, let alone enough to take some time to myself. After getting sick a couple of months ago, I decided I was going to make traveling a part of my lifestyle. It’s a much needed break and a great way to get inspired in a new setting. That’s why when VisitPA contacted me about taking a trip with a friend to explore places all over Pennsylvania, I immediately said yes. I originally grew outside of Philadelphia in a college town in New Jersey. I adored visiting Philadelphia as a kid. I even moved to Philadelphia for a brief time in 2007. Living in Center City was incredible! The energy of the city was indescribable. Although I got to see Philadelphia some, I never really got the change to explore anywhere else in the state. That’s why I’m so excited about this trip with Visit PA.

My friend Laura and I will be visiting various places around the state of Pennsylvania. What sets this trip apart from the rest was that we didn’t even know where we’d be heading until two days ago! In a sort of “Amazing Race”style adventure, we’ll be competing against 3 other bloggers: Adam at Dada Rocks, Becky of Your Modern Family and Zippy of Champagne Living. Visit Pa sent us each a swag box full of items and clues to where we’ll be heading and told us not to open it until our Facebook Live stream. Once we opened the box, we had our followers help us pick figure out the clues to where we’d each be heading- and wow were those clues difficult! The first blogger to get all the answers right the fastest won a prize. Unfortunately, I didn’t win (but there will be more opportunities for me and YOU to win that I’ll discuss later). With so many different places to visit in Pennsylvania, narrowing it down was difficult. Would we be camping in Pennsylvania? Visiting museums? In the end I was able to figure it out with the help of friends and followers (thanks to everyone who participated) and the places we’re heading are going to be amazing!

We’re staying in Rittenhouse Square once we arrive. Rittenhouse Square is a super-luxe part of Philadelphia with great shopping and phenomenal places to eat. Our first morning there we’ll be taking a walking tour of the city’s murals to learn more about the artists and the history behind each piece. This of course is right up my alley! It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of art, so I cannot wait to see all of the murals the city has to offer.

After the Mural tour, Laura and I will be heading to Dutch Country to check out Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster County. There’s a huge Amish community in Dutch Country and it’s such a learning experience to see how others live. Kitchen Kettle Village is one of the many super fun things to do in Pennsylvania. There are a ton of shops and activities for the whole family there! They have a jam and relish kitchen that I can’t wait to visit.

We’ll also be visiting Falling Waters, which is the home of a world renowned architect and the Johnstown incline which is the world’s steepest vehicular inclined plane railway. I’m terrified and excited about riding it because I’m scared of heights! Hopefully I don’t chicken out.

A few items from the Swag Bag from Visit PA

The last place we’ll be visiting is also the place I’m most excited about- we’re going to the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh! I’m a huge fan of Andy Warhol. He’s one of America’s most iconic artists. I’ve seen every documentary there ever was about him, so to be able to visit his museum in Pittsburgh is an absolute dream of mine!

This trip is exciting, but I’m going to need your help along the way! I’m competing against the other bloggers in various challenges, and I need you to follow my travels on Instagram and Facebook and leave your likes and comments. If you follow along you’ll have a chance to win a swag bag like the one I was sent from Visit PA! Look out for my giveaway post on Facebook and Twitter for your chance to win by leaving a comment under the photo! I’ll be back Monday and I can’t wait to share my trip with you guys! Thanks #VisitPA

This post was written by me through an activation with HireInfluence on behalf of Visit PA. Although I received compensation for participating in the campaign, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow what an amazing competition and even though you might not have won at least you get to go to Pennsylvania. I would love to go xx

Hannah Latoya Bond

This sounds great. I went to Pennsylvania last year, went to Philadelphia and out to the country where Amish people live. I also visited Kitchen Kettle Village, you will love it. They have a store that sells loads of jams and other sauces. Everything you can sample too, I went around the store and tried pretty much everything they have

Leah Shafik

This trip sounds fantastic! I haven’t been to the US for a while and I have never visited PA! Kitchen Kettle village sounds so cool x